New law designed to crack down on gang activity

Gang members who commit crimes could spend more time in prison thanks to a new state law intended to cut down on gang activity across Tennessee.

Davidson County Assistant District Attorney Rob McGuire has been prosecuting gang members for years.

"We know that gangs in Nashville are responsible for a significant amount of violence," said McGuire.

It's hard to say how many gang members are out there, but they easily number in the hundreds.

Now if prosecutors can legally connect a felony crime to a criminal gang, he can ask for a harsher sentence.

"Whether it's a murder, a robbery, drug sales, we can often connect that criminal act to a larger criminal enterprise. It's difficult to do because of the nature of the kind of proof that it is," said McGuire.

The violence caused by gangs can grip a neighborhood in fear, and finding residents who will testify can be a challenge

"What we want them to know is that we are partners in this, and we don't forget about people who try to defend their own neighborhood," said McGuire.

One concern criminal lawyers have about the law is the fear of putting other people's civil liberties at risk.

"That's why this law does require us to make showings in court of how we can prove this person is a gang member, so we don't involve ourselves in so he's this color or this race," said McGuire.

For Metro Police's gang unit, the law is an essential component in taking back neighborhoods at risk.

"Citizens and lawmakers are tired of their constituents being victims. If putting them in jail is what it takes to get the point, that what we'll do," said Stephen Duncan of the Metro's Gang Unit.

It was pitched an opportunity to bring economic growth to the north side of Lake Charles, but now ti seems the Enterprise Boulevard Extension project will never come to fruition. The second phase still hasn't been completed to connect Enterprise Boulevard to Highway 171. Wednesday night city council member Mary Morris suggested another plan to get things rolling. Restaurants, condos and retail outlets was suppose to come for North Lake Charles, but it's been ...

It was pitched an opportunity to bring economic growth to the north side of Lake Charles, but now ti seems the Enterprise Boulevard Extension project will never come to fruition. The second phase still hasn't been completed to connect Enterprise Boulevard to Highway 171. Wednesday night city council member Mary Morris suggested another plan to get things rolling. Restaurants, condos and retail outlets was suppose to come for North Lake Charles, but it's been ...

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that construction work on I-10 in Lake Charles is scheduled to begin on March 3. The expansion joints on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge need maintenance which will be performed by C.E.C, Inc., a Lafayette-based company. The construction of the I-10 bridge must take place in order to handle the traffic volume anticipated during the upcoming I-210 re-decking project. The $8.5 million project on I-10 ...More >>

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that construction work on I-10 in Lake Charles is scheduled to begin on March 3. The expansion joints on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge need maintenance which will be performed by C.E.C, Inc., a Lafayette-based company. The construction of the I-10 bridge must take place in order to handle the traffic volume anticipated during the upcoming I-210 re-decking project. The $8.5 million project on I-10 ...More >>

Copycat threats to schools have been report to law enforcement agencies across the country, state, and in Southwest Louisiana. Multiple suspects have been arrested, many charged with terrorizing, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $15,000 if charged as an adult. However, according to Louisiana State Police, the majority of the threats received were found to have no credible danger to public safety. "Although we highly encourage cit...

Copycat threats to schools have been report to law enforcement agencies across the country, state, and in Southwest Louisiana. Multiple suspects have been arrested, many charged with terrorizing, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $15,000 if charged as an adult. However, according to Louisiana State Police, the majority of the threats received were found to have no credible danger to public safety. "Although we highly encourage cit...

For tonight, scattered showers will be possible with just a few thunderstorms. The risk of severe weather is very low and rainfall should be lighter than earlier today, limiting the flood potential. Temperatures will not cool down very much with lows in the upper 60s.

For tonight, scattered showers will be possible with just a few thunderstorms. The risk of severe weather is very low and rainfall should be lighter than earlier today, limiting the flood potential. Temperatures will not cool down very much with lows in the upper 60s.

Brookshire Grocery Company is sending WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial. The trip is all-expense paid and Brookshire is accepting applications for it's 15th "Heroes Flight." "Our Company is tremendously grateful for the military men and women who serve our nation," says Chairman of the Board and CEO for Brookshire Grocery Co. Brad Brookshire, "We are honored to have escorted more than 400 WWII veterans to our nation's capital...

Brookshire Grocery Company is sending WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial. The trip is all-expense paid and Brookshire is accepting applications for it's 15th "Heroes Flight." "Our Company is tremendously grateful for the military men and women who serve our nation," says Chairman of the Board and CEO for Brookshire Grocery Co. Brad Brookshire, "We are honored to have escorted more than 400 WWII veterans to our nation's capital...